DualBIOS™ Technology FAQ

GIGABYTE Technology is pleased to introduce DualBIOS technology, a hot spare for your system BIOS. This newest "Value-added" feature, in a long series of innovations from GIGABYTE, is available on this motherboard. Future GIGABYTE motherboards will also incorpo- rate this innovation.

What's DualBIOS™?

On GIGABYTE motherboards with DualBIOS there are physically two BIOS chips. For simplicity we'll call one your "Main BIOS" and the other we'll call your "Backup BIOS" (your "hot spare"). If your Main BIOS fails, the Backup BIOS almost automatically takes over on your next system boot. Almost automatically and with virtually zero down time! Whether the problem is a failure in flashing your BIOS or a virus or a catastrophic failure of the Main BIOS chip, the result is the same - the Backup BIOS backs you up, almost automatically.

I.Q: What is DualBIOS™ technology? Answer:

DualBIOS technology is a patented technology from Giga-Byte Technology. The concept of this technology is based on the redundancy and fault tolerance theory. DualBIOS™ technology simply means there are two system BIOSes (ROM) integrated onto the motherboard. One is a main BIOS, and the other is a backup BIOS. The mainboard will operate normally with the main BIOS, however, if the main BIOS is corrupt or damaged for various reasons, the backup BIOS will be automatically used when the system pow- ered-On. Your PC will operate as before the main BIOS was damaged, and is completely transparent to the user.

II.Q: Why does anyone need a motherboard with DualBIOS™ technology? Answer:

In today's systems there are more and more BIOS failures. The most common reasons are virus attacks, BIOS upgrade failures, and/or deterioration of the BIOS (ROM) chip itself.

1.New computer viruses are being found that attack and destroy the system BIOS. They may corrupt your BIOS code, causing your PC to be unstable or even not boot normally.

2.BIOS data will be corrupted if a power loss/surge occurs, or if a user resets the system, or if the power button is pressed during the process of performing a system BIOS upgrade.

3.If a user mistakenly updates their mainboard with the incorrect BIOS file, then the system may not be able to boot correctly. This may cause the PC system hang in operation or during boot.

4.A flash ROM's life cycle is limited according to electronic characteristics. The modern PC utilizes the Plug and Play BIOS, and is updated regularly. If a user changes peripherals often, there is a slight

chance of damage to the flash ROM.

With Giga-Byte Technology's patented DualBIOS™ technology you can reduce the possibility of hangs during system boot up, and/or loss BIOS data due to above reasons.

This new technology will eliminate valuable system down time and costly repair bills cause by BIOS failures.

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Technical Reference

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Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 user manual Whats DualBIOS?, What is DualBIOS technology? Answer
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GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 specifications

The Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 is a high-performance motherboard designed for AMD's Athlon 64 and Opteron processors, which made significant strides in the computing world during the early 2000s. This motherboard harnesses the power of Socket 939, allowing users to unlock the full potential of AMD's 64-bit architecture, delivering enhanced performance and speed for demanding applications and gaming.

One of the standout features of the GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 is its support for dual-channel DDR SDRAM. This motherboard accommodates up to 4GB of memory across its four DIMM slots. With the dual-channel configuration, users experience increased memory bandwidth, allowing for faster data transfer rates essential for modern multitasking and high-performance computing scenarios.

Gigabyte’s proprietary technologies, such as its 8-phase Power Phase Design, significantly improve system stability and reliability by providing clean and steady power to the CPU. This design is particularly beneficial when overclocking, allowing users to push their systems to higher performance levels without compromising stability.

The motherboard features an NForce3 250Gb chipset, known for its impressive capabilities in enhancing system performance and providing support for various peripheral technologies. This chipset enables integrated Gigabit Ethernet, ensuring fast networking speeds suitable for gaming and data-intensive tasks.

Expansion capabilities are another highlight of the GA-K8NS ULTRA-939. It offers several PCI slots along with a PCI Express x16 slot, allowing users to upgrade their graphics cards for enhanced gaming performance. Additionally, the motherboard features 4 SATA connectors, supporting RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 configurations, enabling improved data redundancy and speed for storage solutions.

Connectivity is further enhanced with USB 2.0 support, providing multiple ports for peripherals, and integrated audio solutions, delivering decent sound quality for media consumption and gaming. Moreover, the Realtek ALC850 codec ensures that users can easily connect and enjoy high-quality audio.

The GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 also incorporates Gigabyte’s patented DualBIOS technology, which provides a backup BIOS that safeguards against corruption, ensuring system reliability and extended product longevity. This feature, along with a rich selection of configuration options in the BIOS, gives users the flexibility and control they need to optimize their computing experience.

In conclusion, the Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 represents a solid choice for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich motherboard to complement AMD’s Socket 939 processors. With its robust power design, extensive memory support, and a comprehensive array of features, it remains a memorable piece of hardware that contributed to the evolution of home computing.
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